Biographical Note
SECRETARY-GENERAL APPOINTS TOSHIYUKI NIWA AS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
OF UN CAPITAL MASTER PLAN MANAGEMENT PROJECT
The Secretary-General announced the establishment of the Capital Master Plan project and the appointment of Toshiyuki Niwa as its Executive Director, on a full-time basis at the level of Assistant Secretary-General, effective 1 February 2003.� This follows the adoption on 20 December 2002 of resolution A/RES/57/292/Sec.II by the General Assembly.� Mr. Niwa has been in charge of the Capital Master Plan and the Visitors’ Experience projects over the last three years.
As outlined in the Secretary-General’s Report, A/57/285, the project is a time-limited and mission-specific endeavour, will not be a permanent addition to the existing United Nations organizational structure and will operate with sufficient autonomy and maximum flexibility.� Mr. Niwa will continue to report to the Secretary-General through Catherine Bertini, Under-Secretary-General for Management.
Mr. Niwa, a national of Japan, has been the Assistant Secretary-General for Central Support Services since March 1998.� Mr. Niwa has also been the Executive Coordinator for Common Services at the United Nations Headquarters.� Between 1990 and 1997, Mr. Niwa served as Assistant Secretary-General in the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), holding the position of Assistant Administrator and Director, Bureau for Finance and Administration.� In 1994, he was also Acting Associate Administrator.
From 1971 to 1990, Mr. Niwa served in various capacities in UNDP country office and at headquarters.� He was the United Nations Resident Coordinator and UNDP Resident Representative in Yemen (1980-1983) and Nepal (1983-1988), and UNDP Regional Representative in Thailand (1988-1990).� In Thailand, Mr. Niwa served concurrently as Director of the United Nations Border Relief Operation (UNBRO) for Cambodian Displaced Persons along the Thai-Cambodian border.
Prior to joining the UNDP, Mr. Niwa worked in the private sector.� He holds a B.A. in Economics from Waseda University, Japan, and an M.A.L.D. in International Relations from the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy, United States.� Mr. Niwa is married and has four children.
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